Home / Arts and Entertainment / Paul McCartney Revives Rare "Help!" Performance at Intimate 2025 Gig
Paul McCartney Revives Rare "Help!" Performance at Intimate 2025 Gig
27 Sep, 2025
Summary
- Paul McCartney kicks off 2025 tour with surprise show at Santa Barbara Bowl
- Performs "Help!" in full for the first time since 1965
- Also plays Beatles classics, Wings hits, and virtual duet with John Lennon
On September 27, 2025, music legend Paul McCartney surprised fans by launching his 2025 North American tour with a last-minute warmup gig at the Santa Barbara Bowl in California. The intimate show, which sold out within minutes, saw McCartney kick off the night by performing the Beatles' classic "Help!" in its entirety for the first time since 1965.
The Santa Barbara Bowl, with a capacity of just 4,562 people, is a far cry from the arenas McCartney will be playing on the rest of his tour. But the smaller venue allowed for a more personal experience, with fans having to secure their phones in Yondr pouches for the night to prevent any footage from leaking online.
In addition to the rare "Help!" performance, McCartney's setlist focused on other Beatles hits like "Getting Better," "Lady Madonna," and "Hey Jude," as well as Wings classics such as "Jet," "Live and Let Die," and "Let Me Roll It." He also played some of his solo tunes, including "My Valentine," "Coming Up," and "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five." The show even featured a virtual duet with the late John Lennon on "I've Got a Feeling" using footage from the 1969 Beatles rooftop performance.
